[elizabeth8503RN]

I was a CNA for 2 1/2 yrs, worked for an LPN for 7 months, and have been an RN for almost 2 years (July 19 it will be 2 yrs). Hopefully here in the next year or so I will have completed my BSN, (I have only a few classes to go).

I learned alot from being a CNA. I learned to manage time, deal with all kinds of patients and deal with the all important co-workers. I also know how difficult it is to be a CNA, and when at all possible, I get up and do things myself and no ask the CNA's to do things that I myself am perfectly capable of doing myself. However, there are times that I do ask that the CNA's do things, like take a patient to the bathroom when I am in the room (this only happens when I am in the middle of a pill pass and I am behind), or grab a snack. And when I can, after I get my work done, I go and help with rounds, and every once and a while I forget that I'm not still the CNA, and go look for the nurse, just to remeber after a few steps.......oh wait a min.......I AM the nurse........hehehe

[FaithHope&Love]

1. I took my CNA course as a pre-req for the PN program, then worked for 2 years prior to passing the PN.

2. I think that it helped, for me it made me more comfortable with patients and their families. And I can fully understand where CNAs are coming from...both from a CNA and a LPN perspective.

[Irish Nurse 89]

Yes, I worked as a CNA, soon after high school, and continued to work as one until I became a nurse....... For me, being in the role of a CNA first has helped put things into perspective, and to see everyone as a "Team Player", rather than just a title.

[Southernurse]

Yep! Being a CNA first helped me really appreciate the ones I worked with later. There is also a sense of "being on the front line" and having a much different understanding of the patients than someone who graduated high school and never set foot in a facility until clinicals.

P.S. In North Carolina you HAVE to be a CNA before you can get your nursing license.

[aloevera]

right on North Carolina !!!! that is a great pre-requisite, I saw several in nursing school drop out for various reasons...if they had been a CNA first, they would have known that nursing was not for them, I am sure...whether it be inability to see poop/vomit, or the crazy hours that is a wonderful idea to be a CNA first...(I was one for 3 years before going to nursing school many many moons ago)

[ema79]

I was a nurse asst. for year before I started nursing school. I learned a lot and also appreciate nurse asst. now! I was treated like crap by a lot of nurses who felt I was too dumb to be anything else without even knowing me. I also know all the tricks that CNAs like to pull so no one is getting anything by me

[GrumpyRN63]

I worked as a CNA throughout nsg school , some one had to pay for it! I think it's invaluable, everyone who enters nsg should have to be a CNA, I think it helps me be a better team player, my work wouldn't get done without them, they are my eyes and ears much of the time